PRESS RELEASE- ONE BILLION RISING – 2016

New Delhi, 14 Feb. 2016: One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women in human history. The campaign, launched on 14th February 2013, began as a call to action based on the staggering statistics that 1 in 3 women in the world are beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls.

This year OBR is bigger and truly a game-changer. Delhi has been buzzing with OBR activities like screenings of films, street theatre, music, discussions, debates, peace walks, bike rally and Gender Mela since January 2016.

For the fourth year of the campaign, thousands of women, men, and youth from different sections of society in particular young people from schools and colleges will gather at Central Park, New Delhi to raise consciousness and express the ‘rise’ of the billion movers and shakers through dance, theatre and music and leverage the power of global solidarity and collective action.

“We are against violence against women and girls and against patriarchy. Women are rising as survivors. We are celebrating LOVE and harmony. OBR is a synergy; it is a SANGAM of genders, nations, organizations. We are rising also to protect Mother Nature, and all marginalized groups.” Kamla Bhasin, feminist activist and OBR South Asia coordinator.

This is a day of listening to women from the marginalised sectors, listening to their issues, to their needs, making their stories hears and visible, to create deeper consciousness about their struggles.

“OBR to me is about searching the feminist in myself. Every year on this day I find a new reason to spread love and understand my own struggles. OBR is solidarity to me.” Pousali Sarkar, student-Miranda House, DU

“One Billion Rising is a space where there is multiple hues of protests and also multiple hues of solidarity, it includes youth beyond universities”- Bijayalakshmi Nanda, Professor-Miranda House-DU

I believe in an inclusive society therefore people should come at one platform where they can showcase their experiences and stand in solidarity. This is OBR to me” Ahmed Faraz, MenEngage Delhi.

“This is a special day where violence against women can be brought up and we all can shout-NO MORE. This is not about any particular age of women it includes all”-Ginny Srivastava, Activist from Rajasthan

In the past few months there had been some incredible risings in different parts of the city by dedicated organizations, institutions and individuals.

Institutions and Colleges have also been actively taking up the One Billion rising Mantle! In the first ten days of February itself there have been many colleges actively participating and hosting events to talk about Violence against Women. IP college for Women held a workshop on Violence against women, and sexual harassment as part of the OBR campaign on the 2nd of February.

Kalindi College also held a Gender Mela on the 5th of February complete with a flash mob, nukkad natak, movie screening of the film- Immoral Daughters and a speech by Kamla di. Miranda House on the 8th of February gave a call for rising with a rally and a flash mob. Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak is having a whole day of events regarding Violence against women with a street theatre etc on the 11th of February.

Shyam lal College also rose for One Billion Rising by hosting a day of advocacy against Violence against women on the 3rd of February. Miranda house along with Action Aid, CFAR and Centre for Health and Social Justice are holding a three day Gender Mela as part of the OBR campaign from the 11th to 13th of February.